Helping Haiti

Last Updated on Thursday, 28 January 2010 13:31
Written by Elizabeth Barrett
Thursday, 28 January 2010 00:30

Former Brady resident caring for quake victims.

“I’m writing from an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. My team and I arrived here after crossing through the Dominican border Tuesday morning. We made some connections quickly and found a place to plug in. A YWAM team from the Dominican Republic has set up a clinic across the street from the president’s palace.”

The above excerpt was sent in an e-mail by former Brady resident Jed Johnson last week.

Jed, along with other members of a Youth With A Mission team, is on the front lines in Haiti helping people affected by an earthquake.

“We spent the day treating people that had suffered injuries from the initial quake. There are many cool stories and I wish I could share them all right now.

The best way to sum it up is “God is good.”

The 25-year-old told his wife Natalie (Wall) Johnson—a Holdrege native—that he would be more specific the next time he was able to contact her.

“But for now, I need some sleep. Pray for supernatural wisdom in every decision we make and also that God would ease the pain of the Haitian people.

The things that many of them have had to deal with is greater than anyone should ever have to bear.”

Natalie said Jed told her there’s a huge need for medical personnel in Haiti.

“He’s been working in makeshift tents right on the front lawn of the presidential palace, treating wounds on victims,” Natalie said. “There is a line of people that wait for medical treatment.”

She said some doctors asked Jed if he had any medical training. He told them he didn’t.”

The doctors then told him, “ ‘That’s okay. Just do what you can.’ ”

Natalie said her husband is taking care of wounds he never thought he was capable of doing but “ God continues to give him strength and wisdom to help each victim.”

He and other YWAM members are staying outside of a police station in Port-au-Prince.

The Johnsons have belonged to YWAM for three years and are based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

Natalie said the organization encompasses thousands of people and hundreds of ministries in almost every country of the world.

“Our passion is to know God and to make him known,” she said.

Members are from 149 countries and come from numerous Christian denominations.

“Working in disaster relief is what Jed wants to do as a full-time ministry,” Natalie said. “He was excited when he got the phone call saying he was approved to go.”

Jed left on his first disaster relief mission on Jan. 18 and is expected to return Jan. 31.

Natalie said he may return to Haiti and lead a small YWAM team in a few months.

Jed is the son of Rocky and Lynne Johnson of Brady. The Johnsons, along with other relatives, are accepting donations that will be sent directly to Jed and his team. Donations can be made or sent to Brady Get-N-Go and Lube-N-Go, Box 117, Brady, NE, 69123.

Money can also be sent to YWAM to support Jed’s work in Haiti or to the Johnsons for their work in YWAM. Address checks to YWAM-DS with 434 in the memo and send to the Johnsons, Box 60579, Colorado Springs, CO, 80960.

For more information about the organization or to donate online, go to www.ywamsf.org.

Next week: Read how Garry Strauser assisted earthquake victims on a Haitian island. Garry is the father of Tim Strauser of Gothenburg.

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